Portable radial drill apparatus



Jan. i, 946.v c. A. sNYDER I PORTABLE RADIAL DRILL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 7, 1942 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. l, 1946. c. A. sNYDER PORTABLE RADIAL DRILL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 '1m/IH 11 'nu Patented Jan. 1, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PQBIABLE RADIAL DRILLABBABATUS. Charles A. Snyder, Louisville, Kyl Applicatienilanuary 7, 1942 semi No. 425,929,

tomi-59) 7 Claims.

invention, relates to, a portable lradial drill or improved old man.

It is: aimed to provide structure having novel characteristics which` may be, embodiedin many formsf or. variations and wherein the drill4 appa- -ratus is connected to. a mountingand usual-luis suspended in an elevated position and in, a bal,- anced condition.k

A prime obect is, to, providev such a construction wherein the vconnection of the drill apparatus to its mounting includes a balland socket joint' sor thatV drilling at many dierent; centers or locations. may be etlected from any position ofthe mounting.

Another object is to, prov-ide such a construction wherein the drill can not manually be fed faster than its, rate of power drive, to avoid danger of undesirable lowering by gravity oi' the apparatus with consequent unduly fast passage of the. drilll to its limit in acomplete or practically complete hole, thus reducing the danger of the drill breaking, catching on a bur, or injuring the workmen.

lhe construction provides a drill apparatus which automatically seeks the vertical in all positions of adjustment, and is adjustable from one position to variousk other positions in the same plane whilev following an are or complete circle, and in some instances, while also sliding in a path radially of the mounting.

In addition, IY aim to provide suoliv a structure as will enable operation by one man rather than two or more men, as is. required at present, and a construction. which generally increases .production, while. maintaining the construction rela, tively simple and inexpensive in manufactureand upkeep.

Various additional objects and advantages will become apparent and in part pointed out from a consideration of the description following, taken in connectionV 'with the accompanying drawings illustrating operative embodiments by way of example.

lin` said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of my invention;

Figure 2 is a -top or plan'view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross section taken on the plane of line 3*---3y of Figure 1;

'Figure 4 is a perspective View of the centering device for the drill apparatus;

Figure 5 is a View 'primarily-'in sideelevation, but partly in section, of a modified form of the invention;

Figure 6 'is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the parte arranged. for dri-lling horizontally' rather` than vertically; ,l

Figures '7 and '7*` are elevationsof extensions of different lengths which may be used in the post ofthe form-of Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 is a view primarily showing inside elevatiom a modified form ofj support or bracket for the centering element for drill apparatus; Y

Figure 9 is a perspective View of a plate Wl-iich may be used in connection with thel present type of old man. t0 slidably mount the; block for the drill apparatus; I y

Figure l0 is an elevation of a balldeviee .whien may be attached to' usual drill apparatus and; be Suspended fromV the block; which, travelsV Ourthe plate ofv Figure 9?, and

Figure 11 is, aperspective viewof aSlilSpending device for drill apparatus, being so modined that, in addition to usual use, it. may be; used in accord-` ance withthe invention. Y

Referring specically to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like'or similar parts, and, rst, to the form illustrated in Figures l to 4, In designates a base. plate which'is adapted to be clamped to a deck or any other support, as through the medium of screws passed through an elongated slot Il therein. Rising rigidly from the base plate l0, is apost or upright l2. A bushing I3 is slidableV and rotatable on the post 12, being slit or split, as at' t4, so as to lightly contract about the post and frictionally grill the same 'to remain in different adjusted positions against accidental displacement', as during assembly. Such bushing has a'basal enlargement or outwardly extending ange l5 in which a set screw- I6 is adjustablyscrew threaded so that its inner end may be moved into or withdrawnirom.

any opening or notch of a series H thereof provided longitudinally of the. post l2, to enable adjustment and fastening ofthe bushing t3' at any permissible elevation along such post.

An arm or bracket I8 for 'supporting drill apparatus is mounted by said bushing i3. This bracket or arm may be held on the bushing against accidental displacement by a removable screw or Spin i9, and, in addition, said arm or bracket has a split 'clamp Aport-ion at 2|, generally of cylindrical form. rwhereby it is rotatablyadinstable to any desired extent about the axis of the bushing i3. Arm or bracket lI8 rests'on the ange I5. and at its split end has ears 22 provided -with openings through 'which a bolt 2-3 passes for tightening, to clamp the bracket lor arm to the bushing, either tightly orto a degree to effectively journal it. When tightly clamped,

the bracket rwill 'move as a unit with the bushing I3, but when the bolt 23 is loose, the bracket can be freely turned on the bushing to any angle or adjusted position.

Bracket or arm I8, by way of example, may have a pair of spaced vertical webs 24 with outwardly extending anges or rails 25 at the base thereof, and the base wall of the bracket isy open or provided with a longitudinal slot at 26. A sectional block 21 is slidable longitudinally on the rails 25 of bracket I8 and is suspended therefrom. Block 21 consists of separable sections 28 and 29, recessed to provide a spherical cavity, partly in each of them, as at 30, and in which cavity a ball 3| is swiveled in the'manner of a ball and socket joint. In addition to the sections 28 and 29, block 21 has strips or cleats 3 I which overlap the flanges 25. Bolts 32', of any desired number, removably secure the sections 28and 29 together andV fasten the cleats 3|' to the plate 28. It will be noted that the upper surfaceof plate 28 is recessed at 34', to fit the lower surface of the bracket I8 and that a lug 35 rises centrally from the plate 28 and is disposed and movable in the slot 26. Screw threaded in an opening in lug 35' is a screw rod 36 which is operable to slide the block 21 along the bracket or arm I8to dispose the same in any adjusted position. Said screw rod 36 is journaled adjacent opposite ends in bearing portions 31 and 38' on arm I8, and it is maintained against displacement by collars 39'. An operating crank' 40 is provided on the rod 36. v'

Said ball 3| constitutes'part of a centering head or element for drill apparatus disclosed at 32. Such suspending element; in addition to the ball 3|, includes a rod 33 having handles 34 radiating therefrom and vhaving screw threads 35 at the lower end thereof. i

The drill 32 is of anydesired or conventional form generally having a housing 36' in which an operative electric or other motor (not shown) is disposed. The drill is shown at 31 and oppositely radiating handles are illustrated atV 38 and 39, the casing or housing 36 having an enlargement 40' lbetween the same and handle 38 to accommodate a control switch 4I and other parts. The screw threaded portion 35 detachably engages suitable screw means provided at the top of the housing 36. f Through the rotation of rod 33, 'by `operationof handles 34, the screw threads 35 will adjustably position the drill apparatus 32 at diierent heights. It will be realized that the section 29 is annularly cut away or open at 42, to permit movement of the rod 33 to various angles or positions Va'sV the ball 3| swivels in the cavity 3|).v

In using the device, the drill apparatus 32 is adjusted to any desired height through the turning oi" handles 34 and/or through the vertical adjustment of arm I8 through the engagement of screw I6 in`recesses-| 1. At the same time; the drill apparatus may be moved radially of the post l2 `through the sliding of block 21 eiTected-by turning screw rod 36. Said' arm I8 may also be further adjustedthrough' the rotation thereof `on the bushing I3. It will be realized that the'drill is operable by one man and that the `handle 38 may be disposed inv contact with post I2 to brace and steady the drill apparatus during use.l At:- tention is called to the fact "that the drill apparatus, as a whole, will always seek and remain in vertical position, when suspended as in Figure l, and that the drill 31 is'incapable of manual feeding at a rate faster 'than its permissible power driving. Accordingly, the drill apparatus will not drop in use as a hole is completed. The construction enables the drilling of holes from a plurality of centers at a single adjustment of the supporting apparatus for the block 21 and drill apparatus. Furthermore, since the drill apparatus and drill 31 are mounted so that they cannot accidentally drop or be rapidly pushed downwardly, the drills will not catch in burs at the end Of drilling operations, two men 'are not necessary to operate the drill and operation is more rapid, the danger of injury to work- ,men and the danger of injuring and breaking drills is greatly minimized.

It is ^to be understood that I have illustrated anddescribed the structure of Figures 1 to 4, by way of example only, since the principles and characteristics of the invention may be embodied and carried out in various forms. One such modification or varied form is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, V'1 and 7a. In such form of Figures 5 to 7a, I employ the arm I8' in connection with a bushing I 3a in lieu of bushing I3. Arm I8 in this form of the inventionfm'ounts Vparts corresponding to those of the precedingform and, accordingly, the same reference characters have been applied thereto. It will be obvious that, in

the rst form of Figures 1 to 4, arm I8 may be inverted for overheaddrilling, and the drill apparatus in Figure 5 is shown in position for such overhead drilling, since the' arm I8 is inverted Vwith respect to its position in the rst form. In

lieu of the mounting post I2 and base I0, I employ in the modied form, a post or theequivalent 42. This post has a main section 43 provided with a head 44 at one end, in which screws 45 are threaded. Such section 43 has openings `or recesses I1 corresponding to those at'I1 for coaction with the screw or element I6 to adjustably fastenthesliding bushing .I3 in place. 43 has a reduced lug 46 which removably enters an end of a removable extension in the form of a tube 41. Anl anchoring spur 48 is carried at the lower end of extension tube 41, having a square or wrench engaging portion 49 and it also has a nut 50 engaging screw threads 5I on the spu.r The screw threaded portion 5I extends loosely and slidably into the tubular extension 41. The spur may be adjusted for'extension or retraction by the operation of wrenches engaged, respectively, with the square portion 49 and nut 5U. A washer 52 may surround the spur intermediate the nut'5II 'and extension tube 41.

When the drill 36 is arranged for vertical drilling, either below or overhead, the spur 48 is engaged With a deck, floor, or the like, while the screws 45 are engaged with the ceiling or other support. In addition to the adjustment aiorded throughfthe operation of the nut 58, the tube 41 may be supplied in any desired length. For instance, tubes 41 and 41",' of different lengths from that of tube 41, as shown in Figures '7 and 7*, respectively, may be substituted.

Attention is called to the fact that'the structure of Figures 5 to 7 Vmay be used either in vertical drilling, as shown in Figures' 5, Aor for horizontal drilling, as shown in Figure 6, in the latter event, the spur 48 and screws 45 usually being anchored'to opposed vertical Walls or other supports. Such structure may also be mounted at various other angles, as will be apparent.

In FigureY 8, another modification is' disclosed. In such ligure, the post I2 is shown fragmentary but this may equally as well be the post 42. 'A split clamp 53 is slidable and rotatable along' the Section y post and it may be clamped in any adjusted position by tightening the nut of a bolt 54. Clamp 53 carries a block designated 55, consisting of a section or plate 56 integral with the clamp and a removable section 51 secured thereto by bolts 58. Sections or plates 56 and 51 provide a spherical recess or socket 59 in which the ball 3| is accommodated for swiveling, as in the preceding forms of the invention, the plate 51 having an enlarged round opening or cut away portion 60 through which stem 33 passes and operates. It will also be seen, that the drill apparatus 35 and centering element therefor is connected in place by securing ball 3| in socket 59.

In order that the known construction of old man may mount a drill apparatus, I provide a plate 6 I, as in Figure 9, to be fastened to a supporting part by elements passed through openings 62. The opposite edge portions of plate 6| will function or provide rails like those at flanges 25, so that the block 21 will -be slidably mounted thereon, usually without screw adjustment therefor. In such event, the usual or conventional centeringhead carried by the drill apparatus 36 has its upper or spur end extended into a recess 63 of the arm 54 equipped with a ball 65 swiveled in the block 21 in the same manner as the ball 3|, in order to similarly function. Arm 64 is removably clamped to such conventional head by means of screws or fastenings passed through openings 63 in the arm.

Conventional drill apparatus has a centering head consisting of a rod 68 screwed thereto at 66', as shown in Figure 1l, similar to the threads 35. Such conventional rod 66 at one end has a spur 61 adapted to be manually held in engagement with an abutment. This conventional rod has handles 68. In order that the rod 66 may function in the conventional manner and may also be used to carry out my invention, I reduce the spur end of the rod and screw thread the same at 65. On the screw thread 69, a ball or head having a spherical surface is fastened. The presence of the spur 51 does not interfere with the mounting or swiveling of the ball 10 in the slide block, such as 21.

I claim as my invention:

l. Mechanism of' the class described comprising a supporting bracket having an elongated slot and laterally extending flanges, a block slidably mounted on the bracket having means bearing against opposite sides of said flanges and overlapping the upper and lower surfaces of the latter. said block having a lug entered in said slot and contacting the opposite walls of the bracket dening the slot, a rod journaled at loca-4 tions on opposite sides of the lug on the bracket in. the slot and interengaged with said lug to slide the block through the turning of the rod, said block comprising sections collectively forming a central socket greater than a semi-circle having its dening wall extending relatively close to the bracket, and a ball on the drill apparatus swiveled and retained in said socket.

2. Mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said bracket has a split attaching clamp at one end, webs extending from said clamp defining said slot between them and from which the flanges extend.

3. A centering head for drill apparatus, said head including a centering spur, and means on the head inwardly of and relatively close to the spur provided with a spherical surface enabling swivel mounting of the head, said spur being enclosed in the sphere of said surface so that said means and spur will be operable in a socket without interference by said spur.

4. A centering head for drill apparatus, said head including a centering spur, and means on the head inwardly of and relatively close to the spur provided with a spherical surface enabling swivel mounting of the head, said spur being enclosed in the sphere of said surface so that said means and spur will be operable in a socket without interference by said spur, consisting of an auxiliary head, and means detachably securing the auxiliary head to the centering spur.

5. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a mounting rod, fastening means at opposite ends of the rod, an arm adjustably mounted by the rod, drill apparatus mounted by the arm, one of said fastening means consisting of a spur, a nut threaded on said spur and in engagement with the adjacent end of the rod, said rod having a tubular section separable from the remainder thereof to enable the arm to be selectively mounted in normal and inverted positions and said spur being directly carried by the tubular section.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising a post having spaced recesses, a bushing slidable on said post, means selectively engageable with said recesses to adiustably position said bushing, an outwardly extending flange on said bushing, an arm having means to mount it on the bushing in a normal and inverted position, said arm having a vertical slot and along opposite edges having laterally extending flanges, and a drill-carrying block having a portion extending into the slot and engaging the opposite vertical walls therein and interengaged with said flanges at the outer sides, and upper and lower surfaces thereof for sliding along said arm.

7. Apparatus of the class described comprising a post, an arm having means to surround said post, said arm having a vertical slot and along edges having laterally extending flanges, a drillcarrying block having a portion extending into the slot and engaging the opposite vertical walls therein and interengaged with said flanges for sliding longitudinally of the arm, said arm being capable of assuming a normal and an inverted position relatively to the post, and means to support said arm adjustably on said post in both positions.

CHARLES A. SNYDER. 

